12 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

After an early breakfast at the lodge, you check out and leave Akagera for Nyungwe Forest National Park. The drive takes offers amazing views of the scenery in the Rwanda country side. Lunch will be along the way. Journey time: 6 hours Accommodation: Luxury – One & Only Nyungwe House Mid – range – Nyungwe Top View Lodge Budget – EAR Guest House Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at your lodge this morning your driver guide will transfer you to the briefing area at the park offices in Nyungwe. Here you will meet with your ranger guide who will tell you about the guidelines for the chimp trek and what to expect from the trek. After the briefing you then transfer to the starting point. The chimp trek in Rwanda is a rewarding experience that brings you closer to these primates that are known as man’s closest relatives. Once you locate the chimpanzees you get to watch them as they hop around in the forest and take some amazing photos of them. After this you return back to the starting point. In the afternoon you will go on a guided canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest along the Igishigishigi Trail. The walk takes you through the forest as you see bird life, colorful butterflies, orchids and small predators like squirrels. You might also sight some monkeys along the trail. The canopy walk is an interesting experience as you walk along a 70m high suspension bridge as you are treated to scenic views of Nyungwe Forest giving you a true jungle experience. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today after breakfast at the lodge you will start the journey to Volcanoes National Park. The park is located in Musanze district and offers great views of the Virunga Mountain Ranges and the scenery of Rwanda. On arrival at the lodge you will check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Journey time: 5 hours Accommodation: Up market – Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel Mid – range – Gorilla Solutions Lodge Budget – Garden Place Hotel Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning you will head to the starting point for this trek. The golden monkeys are active monkeys and a beautiful sight to see as they hop around in the forest and feed on bamboo shoots, which must be their favorite delicacy. The golden monkeys offer great photo moments and a unique experience with these primates. Visitors are allowed to spend one hour with them. You will also visit the Iby’Iwacu cultural village which is a great way to experience the way of the life of the Rwandans as you get a look in to their culture, traditions and norms. The cultural visit can be done after your gorilla trek depending on what time you return. While at the cultural village you will visit the traditional medicine man, be entertained by the traditional dances which you are free to join in and you visit the king’s palace where you can be dressed as a Queen or King for the day. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today morning you have breakfast at the lodge, check out and then proceed to the beautiful Lake Kivu. On arrival you will check in to your lodge and have lunch. After lunch you will go on a boat ride on Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s biggest lakes and the boat ride will give you stunning views of the lake and magnificent mountains surrounding the lake. Lake Kivu also offers great birding opportunities. You then return to the lodge and spend the rest of the day chilling at the lodge and taking in the beauty of Lake Kivu. Journey time: 2 hours Accommodation: Luxury – Lake Kivu Serena Mid – range – Paradise Mlahide Budget – Inzozi Lodge Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a great breakfast at the lodge today you will go on a boat ride on Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s biggest lakes and the boat ride will give you stunning views of the lake and magnificent mountains surrounding the lake. Lake Kivu also offers great birding opportunities. After the boat ride you travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the only place to track mountain gorillas in Uganda. Journey time: 3 hours Accommodation: Up market – Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge Mid – range – Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge Budget – Rushaga Gorilla Camp Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today morning you will have breakfast at the lodge and then you will be taken to the park headquarters which is the starting point for your mountain gorilla trekking adventure. You will receive a briefing from your ranger guide with guidelines on the trek and how to behave around the gorillas. After this you will be given walking sticks for support as you trek in the forest and you will also be able to get porters who can be hired at a fee of 15 US dollars to carry your luggage for the day. We advise that you hire a porter because the gorilla trek can be strenuous and hectic hence the need for extra help. The park guides will lead you through the rain forest in search of these endangered species, once you locate the mountain gorillas you are allowed to spend one hour with them. The gorilla trek is an exciting adventure and watching the gorillas as they feed, move around and play with their young ones is a rewarding experience. You will have an opportunity to capture your great shot of the mountain gorillas and you are advised to turn off your camera flashlight when taking pictures. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you check out of the lodge and then travel to Ishasha sector in Uganda. Ishasha is in the south western part of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and the main attraction in this area is the tree climbing lions. On arrival you will go on a game drive in search of the tree climbing lions in Ishasha with your ranger guides. The lions can be seen hanging and relaxing in the fig trees while they escape the afternoon scorching sun and the biting flies. Other animals to be spotted include topis, buffaloes, and elephants. Head to the lodge for dinner after the game drive. Journey time: 3 hours Accommodation: Luxury – Ishasha Wilderness Camp Mid – range – Ishasha Jungle Lodge Budget – Enjojo Lodge Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a hearty breakfast at the lodge you will go on yet another game drive this morning as you search for the tree climbing lions. After the game drive you travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Once you arrive at the park you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge. Optional Activity:Community Walk and Tour Journey time: 2 hours Accommodation: Luxury – Kyambura Gorge Lodge Mid – range – Kikorongo Safari Lodge Budget – Bush Lodge Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will go on an early morning game drive in the park after having breakfast at the lodge. The game drive will take place in Kasenyi plains as this is where you get the best game viewing opportunities. Wildlife to look out for includes hyenas, lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, leopard and antelope species among other animals. Your afternoon will be spent on a boat cruise on Kazinga channel. The boat ride offers great opportunities to look out for water birds, hippos, huge monitor lizards, crocodiles that like to sunbathe on the shores, elephants that like to play in the water and antelopes as they come to the shores to drink water in the afternoon. The boat cruise takes 2 hours and offers you a relaxing afternoon on water. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will end your safari on this day as you travel to Kampala or Entebbe, you will have a stopover at the Uganda Equator monument. Your driver guide will then drop you off in Kampala or Entebbe Airport for your flight back home. Optional Activity – Kampala City tour. Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch Journey time: 6 hours